Nature, An ADHD Natural Treatment


My mother's warning; "You are going to rot your brain out..." still rings through my mind whenever I spend too much time in front of the television set.

I grew up in a time when mothers shooed their children out - rain, snow or shine - to get a breath of fresh air. Our television set tuned in to only four or five channels and those channels signed off at midnight. It would be years before cable television, satellite dish, VCRs and Nintendo would debut. Lazy summer days were spent riding bicycles for hours because there wasn't much of anything better to do.

This period of time was also a few decades before Ritalin and Attention Deficit would become commonplace terms.

I have long believed that inactive hours spent indoors has contributed to the increased incidence of Attention Deficit Disorder. A recent study, published in the September 2004 issue of the "American Journal of Public Health," validates that believe.

University of Illinois researchers studied nature as an ADHD natural treatment. This study showed that children with ADHD benefit from time outdoors enjoying nature with a significant reduction of ADHD symptoms.

Researchers of this nationwide recruited the parents of 322 boys and 84 girls, all diagnosed with ADHD, through ads in major newspapers and the Internet. Participants, ages 5 to18, spent time in a variety of settings which varied from big cities to rural settings. Some activities were conducted indoors, others in outdoor places without much greenery such as parking lots and downtown areas and other activities were in "green" areas such as a tree-lined street, back yards or parks. The parents were interviewed and asked to report how their children performed after participating in a wide range of activities.

The researchers found that symptoms were reduced most in green outdoor settings, even when the same activities were compared across different settings. Researchers believe that simply incorporating nature into a child's day could be widely effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.

Based on the results of this ADHD natural treatment study, researchers recommend that children with ADHD spend quality after-school hours and weekend time outdoors enjoying nature.

Study authors Frances E. Kuo and Andrea Faber Taylor suggested that daily doses of ''green time'' might supplement medications and behavioral approaches to ADHD if clinical trials and additional research confirm the value of nature as a natural treatment for ADHD.

The study findings indicate that exposure to ordinary natural settings in the course of common after-school and weekend activities may be widely effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children.

In each comparison (there were 56 in all), green outdoor activities received more positive ratings over the activities taking place in other settings. In 54 of the 56, the difference was significant, signaling that the findings were consistent.

Researchers said that exposing ADHD children to nature is an affordable, healthy method of controlling symptoms. Researchers also suggested that daily doses of "green time" can supplement medications and other traditional treatments of ADHD.

Simply using nature may offer a way to help manage ADHD symptoms that is readily available, doesn't have any stigma associated with it, doesn't cost anything, and doesn't have any side effects.

ADHD natural "green" treatment has endless possibilities, many of which might closely resemble childhoods from years long past.

Here are just a few ideas for increasing "green time":

Play in a green yard or ball field at recess and after school.

Take after-dinner walks.

Make a scarecrow.

Doing class work or homework outside or at a window with a relatively green view.

Build a birdhouse.

Grow an outdoor garden.

Bike, ski, sled, inline skate...

Visit a nature center.

Choose a greener route for the walk to school.

Participate in local nature clean-ups.

Take up bird watching.

Star gaze.

About The Author

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer with a focus on issues relating to Attention Deficit Disorder.


More Resources

With A Little Help From Our Friends
The quality of one's life to a large extent is determined by the quality of our relationships with others. When we feel we have no choice but to face the world alone, we suffer emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and no degree of outward success can replace or repair the lonely feeling in our heart.
Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Phantom Pain
Much of what goes on in our bodies is controlled by the subconscious mind. A simple example is the process of moving from a sitting to a standing position.
The Honeybush Miracle
Perhaps a little eclipsed by the world-wide success of Rooibos, another natural South African health tea, Honeybush; is finally getting the attention it deserves.Honeybush tea ( botanical name: Cyclopia intermedia ) grows along mountain slopes in the Cedarberg and Langkloof area, and has a naturally sweet, almost honey-like taste.
The Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease
You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors.
Air Purifiers, Are They Worth The Money?
When you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may think it may be a good idea to purchase an air filtration system for your house. But one legitimate question would be: is it worth paying the money? Experts say that it can ease your symptoms, but that is true only if you make other changes in your environment, too.
A Major Key to Pain Relief: Using Your Subconscious to Alter Your Brain Chemistry
Chemical reactions move pain signals along a pathway from your body to your brain. By using visualization statements to focus your subconscious on potential weak points along that pathway, you may be able to reduce the signal enough to get relief.
Aloe Vera, an Alternative That Will Improve Your Looks and Your Outlook
Do you remember your teen years? Remember that schoolmate that had a less than perfect complexion and always seemed to be the object of cruel comments? Sure, you can relate to what I'm saying! Perhaps it was even you at the receiving end of those comments. Unfortunate as it may be, as a teenager, our outward appearance plays a vital role in issues of self-esteem.
Classical Music Therapy
Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, the Vedic culture has used sound and music for body and mind balancing, health enhancement, healing promotion and encouragement of heightened awareness.
Various Types of Herbal Medicine: Used for Thousands of Years to Successfully Treat Diseases
Interest in medicinal herbs is on the rise again and the interest is primarily from the pharmaceutical industry, which is always looking for 'new drugs' and more effective substances to treat diseases, for which there may be no or very few drugs available.Considering the very long traditional use of herbal medicines and the large body of evidence of their effectiveness, why is it that we are not generally encouraged to use traditional herbal medicine, instead of synthetic, incomplete copies of herbs, called drugs, considering the millions of dollars being spent looking for these seemingly elusive substances?Herbs are considered treasures when it comes to ancient cultures and herbalists, and many so-called weeds are worth their weight in gold.
Pros and Cons of Isopropyl Alcohol
Recently, the term "isopropyl alcohol" has been liken to poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts, what exactly is isopropyl alcohol? Where is it used? What are its characteristics? Is it dangerous? Perhaps too many reports have caused public panic, and therefore, direct associations with isopropyl alcohol have been made, such as with the aromatherapy bottle, and controversies arises; such reports have led to over-generalized and inadequate knowledge of isopropyl alcohol, knowing some aspects but not the others.Dr.
Natural Remedy for Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a condition defined as the inflammation of the bronchi which results in persistent cough that produces considerable quantities of sputum. A respiratory infection such as a cold is the initial stage of the development of bronchitis.
Arthritis Diet Myths- Dont Be Fooled By These Food Fables!
One of the most popular myths I hear from my patients is that eating golden raisins soaked in gin will cure arthritis. There is no good research to support this notion.
Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Old Medicine, New Synergies
The terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine are often wrongly used as synonyms. Actually, the termalternative medicine refers to medicine systems likeAyurveda or Acupuncture that are used in place ofconventional medicine, while complementary medicine refersto those therapies like massage that are used inconjunction with conventional medicine.
Improving Your Body Immune System
The immune system in your body is an amazing functionality that produces antibodies to fight against any infections whether it is bacterial, fungal, or cancers. Any micro organism that invades our body is kept under check and it is destroyed by the immune system in our body.
The Raindrop Technique Massage
Raindrop Technique is a procedure for applying therapeutic grade essential oils to the feet, back and spine. It is a form of aromatherapy.
YARROW TEA (Achillea Millefolium)
An amazing tea that can help with colds and flu, and also help you see in pure colour. Yarrow has an ancient history.
Bring Peace and Serenity to Your Life Through Hypnosis!
Hypnosis: It happens to everyone, young and old, in everyday life and on special occasions. It is a state of being fully absorbed and attentive to such a degree that occurrences in the outside world become less important.
Magnetic Therapy, How And Why Magnets Effect The Body
Have you ever read or have been told that "it is not known why magnets work"? Well, this is untrue. All human and animal bodies are electromagnetic in nature and this fact is closely allied to the chemical balance of the body which can be in either a healthy or an unhealthy state.
Guide To Some Common Herbs That Heal
Herbs have long been an acceptable way to fight common ailments and while they should not take the place of medical advice, can be a great supplement to your current medical care. There are many common herbs that have healing properties which you may not even know about.
Superfood or Superfad
I have been reading a lot lately on the subject of anthrocyanins. Anthrocyanin is a pigment found in many fruits and vegetables but especially in berries.

More Alternative Information:

Related Articles

What AreThe Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache?
Problems with sinuses, give rise to headaches, so you have to know the symptoms of a sinus headache in order to know if you actually have one. The sinuses are small spaces in the facial bones just below the facial skin.
Constipation and Natural Remedies
There are two types of constipation, organic and functional. Organic constipation is a result of some physical change, obstruction, or distortion in your colon.
Health and Anti-Aging
Some words about anti-aging and disease preventionThe aging process is for the greater part no mystery anymore. It consists for a great part of daily damages done on the macroscopic, tissue, cellular and genetic levels.
Understanding Herbology
The use of herbs as early forms of medicine or healing aid dates back centuries, as far back as the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, East Indian, Chinese, and many South American Cultures. Herbs are generally safe and like warm sunshine, natural and beneficial to mind, body and spirit, not to mention affordable compared to prescription medicine.
Honey - Natural Treatment for Wounds and Burns
Honey is a highly concentrated sugar solution produced by honeybees. It is commonly used as substitute for sugar or a flavor enhancer.
Migraines Are The Great Equalizers
Migraine headaches must be one of the great equalizers that tell you in no uncertain terms to stop what ever you are doing now!Anyone who has suffered from this kind of headache will be able to relate to this article, it is something like childbirth; it's not something you can fully appreciate unless you have experienced it.I must have been about eleven or twelve years old when I had my first one.
Arthritis Relief and Your Diet
Arthritis affects more than 40 million Americans and is referred to as the most common chronic disease in people over 40. Doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic: they all cause joint inflammation.
Organic Juices for Constipation
Organic fresh made juices have cleansing and laxative action, which will help you eliminate constipation. Taken regularly they will help you have daily bowel movements.
A Major Key to Pain Relief: Using Your Subconscious to Alter Your Brain Chemistry
Chemical reactions move pain signals along a pathway from your body to your brain. By using visualization statements to focus your subconscious on potential weak points along that pathway, you may be able to reduce the signal enough to get relief.
Purchasing Essential Oil
Tips on Purchasing Essential OilsIt is important to purchase your oils through a reputable supplier, food stores are often reputable suppliers of Essential Oils. In other cases you can buy from the manufacture but you must know something about the manufacturers reputation,- Do they belong to the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists?If so, it is a good indication that they are a reputable people.
About ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder ), its Symptoms
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually characterized by behavioral and learning disorders. ADD generally diagnosed in children, mostly affects the boys than the girls.
Benefits of Alternative Medicine
With the growing number of people being affected by newly discovered chronic degenerative diseases such as AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome, Are you worried or wondering..
Herbal Therapy
Herbal Therapy, also referred to as Herbalism, is one of the oldest healthcare means known to mankind. Herbal therapy is the utilization of herbs for various therapies, remedies or medicinal purposes.
Plastic Acupuncture?
Plastic Acupuncture, abbreviated as (P.Ac) is not really a new development.
Eucalyptus: The Way to Smoother Breathing
The eucalyptus is a popular Australian remedy that was first introduced to the world by the aborigines as a treatment for many kinds of ailments. Its uses range from treating wounds, suppressing colds, relaxing the mind to repelling insects.
Digestive Distress
Step 1: Collect InformationAs the mix of hormones in your blood changes during your premenopausal years, you may notice the effects on your gastrointestinal tract both directly - estrogen is a gastrointestinal stimulant and varying levels may swing you from loose stools to dry ones - and indirectly, as the hormonal load places ever heavier demands on the liver.Hormones have a strong effect on the motility of the intestinal tract.
Understanding Hypnosis
If you want to use hypnosis for therapeutic reasons, there are three personal assets you will need. They are: imagination, concentration, and a genuine motivation to be hypnotized.
Gearing Up for Flu Season
Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most people would love to skip getting sick this year. The biggest question is?How? Here are the easiest ways to keep yourself and loved ones free of the nastiest of colds this (and every) year.
Full Spectrum Daylight Bulbs - Simply Light Years Ahead!
Sunlight is a vital nutrient, which regulates the activity of the hypothalamus gland that secretes seratonin, controlling our moods, biorythms, sleep patterns, body temperature, digestion and sex drive. In addition, the photochemical action of sunlight on our skin activates the production of vital Vitamin D essential for growth and maturation of cells, the maintenance of the bones and a healthy immune system.
Pros and Cons of Isopropyl Alcohol
Recently, the term "isopropyl alcohol" has been liken to poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts, what exactly is isopropyl alcohol? Where is it used? What are its characteristics? Is it dangerous? Perhaps too many reports have caused public panic, and therefore, direct associations with isopropyl alcohol have been made, such as with the aromatherapy bottle, and controversies arises; such reports have led to over-generalized and inadequate knowledge of isopropyl alcohol, knowing some aspects but not the others.Dr.